MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Leapin’ Outreach Center (Leapin’), a faith-based, not-for-profit community outreach center, has been serving the Marion area for two decades. Staffed entirely by volunteers, Leapin’ is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of people experiencing poverty in Marion County. The organization is financially supported through donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and grants.
Leapin’ serves more than 2,000 registered Marion County families. In May alone, Leapin’ served 300 families and 900 individuals. “Our goal is for patrons who receive assistance to experience the Love of God and know they are valued,” says Nolan Hensel, Director of Leapin’. “Whether a person or family is homeless or finding themselves in hard times, we want to be there for them and build their dignity and hope for the future. Everyone is offered prayer. We believe prayer changes things and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change a person’s life.”
The organization provides free clothing, housewares, bedding, and personal hygiene items donated by the community. They also offer toys to children when available and a location for the homeless population in Marion to shower.
Hensel emphasizes that Leapin’ is not a food pantry and they strive to not duplicate services provided by other community groups. “We work in partnership with many community secular and faith-based organizations to meet the needs of our patrons,” says Hensel. “Marion is blessed to have so many groups that care about people who fall on hard times.”
Leapin’ partners with groups such as “Lumpy Loads” to provide laundry detergent, “Grace Clinic Marion” to provide free medical assistance, and “Aspire Ministries” to collaborate with area churches.
Leapin’ is currently in need of donations, especially school-age children’s clothing, bedding, towels and washcloths, new socks and underwear, men’s clothing, scrubs worn by medical personnel, and steel-tip boots. As they continue to serve Marion, they have seen a considerable increase in the homeless population. To meet this growing need, they are currently constructing a homeless shelter with up to 100 beds on the second floor of their building.
Donation drop-offs and volunteer opportunities are from 4:00-7:30 pm on Tuesdays and from 9:00 am – until noon on Thursdays. Leapin’ requests donations are not dropped off at their location without a volunteer to accept them. Updates for both donation drop-offs and workdays are posted on their Facebook page. Volunteers for both the clothing donations and the homeless shelter are needed. Anyone willing to donate time should show up when Leapin’ is open, visit the Leapin’ Facebook page, or email leapinoutreach@gmail.com. Leapin’ is located at 150 Court Street in Marion.
“We are humbled by the generosity of so many people and groups,” says Hensel. “There is a lot of work to be done and opportunities to get involved, serve or donate in so many ways.”